Most Controversial NFL Referee To Officiate Lions Vs 49ers Game

Detroit Lions have some of the worst referee calls against them and now they have one of the most controversial NFL refs calling the game against the 49ers.

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Bad Calls Against the Detroit Lions

You don't have to go too far back in history to find a bad call by a referee against the Detroit Lions. During the game against the Dallas Cowboys just before the playoffs, the Lions went for a two-point conversion to what would have been a game-winning moment to have it denied because the referee said offensive tackle Taylor Decker didn't check in with a referee before catching the conversion. Which we all saw on TV that he did.

Back when Stafford was still quarterback for the Lions he threw a pass to Titus Young that was caught for a clear touchdown. Young has both feet down inbounds, clear control of the ball, and maintained possession throughout the process. A ref ruled the pass incomplete and the Lions had to settle for a field goal and lost by four points.

A call made against the Lions was so bad they named the NFL rule "The Calvin Rule." The Lions were playing at Soldier Field against the Chicago Bears. Quarterback Shaun Hill threw a perfect pass to Calvin Johnson in the back of the end zone where he came down with both feet in bounds, and as he reaches over to stand up, the ball comes out of his hand and the referees ruled it an incomplete pass. I saw this game in real time and it was one of the maddest I have ever been watching a Lions game.

One of the NFL's Most Controversial Refs Will Call Lions Vs 49ers Game

The referee's name is Clete Blakeman. Many Lions fans know his name because Blakeman has been involved in making several controversial calls against Detroit.

In 2019, it was a Monday Night game where the Lions were about to beat the Green Bay Packers Blakeman called a series of controversial calls that led to a 23-22 loss giving the Packers the division title.

According to LionsWire, during the Lions vs Raiders game, Blakeman waved off a holding call from an umpire which raised many eyebrows from coaches and players. It turns out that Blakeman has the highest dismissal rate among officiating crews.

Let's just hope this Sunday's game between the Lions and 49ers leaves no doubt about a win or a loss due to controversial calls against either team, especially Detroit.